"Prairie Song" by Mona Hodgson

 About this book:

“The first step in a challenging journey is often the one that means the most. 
  Though it means saying goodbye to the beloved friends and spiritual mentors of her St. Charles, Missouri quilting circle, Anna Goben is certain that she needs to enlist her family in the Boones Lick Company wagon train. The loss of her beloved brother in the Civil War has paralyzed her mother and grandfather in a malaise of grief and depression and Anna is convinced that only a fresh start in the Promised Land of California can bring her family back to her. Although the unknown perils of the trail west loom, Anna’s commitment to caring for her loved ones leaves no room for fear—or even loving someone new. 
  During the five-month journey, trail hand Caleb Reger plans to keep a low profile as he watches over the band of travelers. Guarding secrets about his past and avoiding God’s calling on his life, Caleb wants to steer as far from Anna as she does him, but she proves to be just as he assessed her from the beginning— independent, beautiful trouble.
  Led by a pillar of hope, the group faces rough terrain that begins to take a toll on their spirits. Will the wilderness of suffering lead them astray, or will the gentle song of love that echoes across the prairie turn their hearts toward God’s grace and the promise of a new home?”


 Series: Yes, Book #1 in the "Hearts Seeking Home" series. 

Spiritual Content-

Joshua 1:9 is quoted in the front; Everyone has a faith, but one man; Caleb reads the bible every morning; Caleb studied to be a Pastor.

Negative Content-
A couple of people get drunk.

Sexual Content-

Kisses

-Anna Goben

-Caleb Reger

                                         P.O.V. of Anna, Caleb, Caroline & Garret

                                                 Set in 1866
                                                                                           298 pages

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(Really three and a half)

I’m not a history chick, I mean I like it and all, but it’s not my favorite genre to read. This book has not even come out yet (August 6^th, 2013- Mark your calendars!) and I’m waiting for the next book in this series, ‘Mountain Whispers’. That should tell you something.

Don't forget to visit Mona Hodgson's Website, Order it here, and Bio about the author.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"Twice in a Lifetime" by Marta Perry

About this book:
 
“When her family calls brokenhearted Georgia Lee Bodine home to Charleston, she knows there's trouble. Her beloved grandmother hired some fancy lawyer to carry out eccentric requests--and unearth an old family secret. Georgia plans to send Matthew Harper packing until she discovers how much the widowed father cares about her grandmother. And that his heart is even more deeply guarded than her own. As they work together on the Bodine history, they uncover a surprise about themselves: that love "can" strike twice in a lifetime.”


 Series: ‘Love Inspired- The Bodine Family’, book 1. Does have to be read in order.

Spiritual Content-

Psalm 8:3-4 in the front; Georgia Lee has a Faith; Matthew says he has a ‘second-hand Faith’.

Negative Content-
Matthew locks his feeling inside. 

Sexual Content-

Kisses.

-Georgia Lee Bodine

-Matthew Harper

                                         P.O.V. switches between Georgia & Matthew

                                                                                           208 pages

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Can’t say this was one of my favorite ‘Love Inspired’ books, it was alright.

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones

About this book:

“Grief brought Finley to Ireland. Love will lead her home.

Finley Sinclair is not your typical eighteen-year-old. She's witty, tough, and driven. With an upcoming interview at the Manhattan music conservatory, Finley needs to compose her audition piece. But her creativity disappeared with the death of her older brother, Will.

She decides to study abroad in Ireland so she can follow Will's travel journal. It's the place he felt closest to God, and she's hopeful being there will help her make peace over losing him. So she agrees to an exchange program and boards the plane.

Beckett Rush, teen heartthrob and Hollywood bad boy, is flying to Ireland to finish filming his latest vampire movie. On the flight, he meets Finley. She's the one girl who seems immune to his charm. Undeterred, Beckett convinces her to be his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide.

Once in Ireland, Finley starts to break down. The loss of her brother and the pressure of school, her audition, and whatever it is that is happening between her and Beckett, leads her to a new and dangerous vice. When is God going to show up for her in this emerald paradise?

Then she experiences something that radically changes her perspective on life. Could it be God convincing her that everything she's been looking for has been with her all along?”


 Series: Stand alone.


Spiritual Content-
Has a quote from C. S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”; Finley says Ireland meadows are ‘Photo shopped by God’; Finley is searching for God throughout the book; Beckett goes to church.


Negative Content-
Beckett’s plays a vampire in different movies; 3 ‘screws’, 2 ‘craps’, 1 heck.


Sexual Content-
Finley says Beckett has that smile could get a girl to take off her purity ring with one word.

-Finley Sinclair

                                         P.O.V. of Finley

                                                                                           303 pages

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This book could have gotten a higher review if it had gone without the negative & sexual parts. It was well written & had a unique story line.

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"A Daughter's Legacy" by Virginia Smith

 About this book:
 
“To receive her inheritance and make peace with her late mother, Kelli Jackson must abide by the woman's will. Even though it means working as a zookeeper for six months--with animals that terrify her. How can she possibly explain her fears--and her past--to her handsome boss, Jason Andover? The glimpses of kindness-- and painful secrets--she sees in his eyes slowly have her sharing "everything." But then she makes a startling discovery--one that may tear them apart forever. Unless she can return the gift of love he's given her.”


 Series: ‘Love Inspired’, does not have to be read in order.  

Spiritual Content-

1 John 4:18 in the front of the book; Both characters have a Faith.

Negative Content-
Kelli has flashbacks when she was little of when her father got hurt/killed.

Sexual Content-

Kisses; Two different babies get born out of wedlock.

-Kelli Jackson

-Jason Andover

                                         P.O.V. switches between Kelli & Jason

                                                                                           216 pages

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Not bad. If you like love the zoo (Like want to work there) you probably would like this book.

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"Splitting Harriet" by Tamara Leigh

About this book:

“Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.  

Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.

Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.

Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love. No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.

But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway? With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again. Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!”


 Series: No. 

Spiritual Content-

Psalm 103:10-12; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Harriet’s a Pastor’s kid; Harriet’s life revolves around the Church, the café & Jelly Beans.

Negative Content-
The Prolongue is all negative, 1 biddies, 2 floozies,  

Sexual Content-

Kisses; (The Prolongue: A guy says he wants to cuddle with Harriet)

-Harriet Bisset

                                         P.O.V. of Harriet

                                                                                           386 pages

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 (Really two and a half)

We see part of Harriet’s messed up life through the prolongue, though we don’t want to read about her messed up, we do because we get to rejoice with her as eight years sober!

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"First Date" by Krista McGee

{{This is an updated review. Originally posted July 3^rd, 2013, it was updated on July 17^th, 2015 to the Official Rating System.}}

About this book:

  “The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.
  She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.
  But she got selected anyway.
  So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.
  Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.”


Series: It’s not officially part of a series, but it’s connected to “Right Where I Belong” and “Starring Me”. To have the least amount of minor spoilers, I recommend to read them in this order: First Date, Starring Me, and then Right Where I Belong.

Spiritual Content- Many Prayers; Many Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Many talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of those in the Bible; Addy’s parents were missionaries & were killed when she was young (barely-above-not-detailed); Addy’s uncle raised her to be like Jesus; Addy goes to a private Christian school; This whole book is based on the story of Esther.

*Note: Hank is not a Christian (he’s supposed to be Haman), he says he is his own god and hates God; a mention of other gods.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dang’, a ‘moron’, a ‘shoot’, an unfinished ‘what the—‘, two forms of ‘dumb’, three ‘duh’s, eleven forms of ‘stupid’; Curses are said but not written; Mentions of drugs.  

Sexual Content- Noticing; Addy’s never been kiss (which there’s no kissing in this novel); A tiny bit of hand holding, hugs & nearness (boarder-line not-detailed // barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of cute boys & crushes; Many talks about dating & boys (Addy says “God first, boys later.”); Jonathon & other boys are called beautiful, cute, gorgeous, hunky, and stunning; a ‘floozie’, a ‘slutty’ and a ‘hot’ when referring to how someone looks; Mentions of clothing being tight or having a V-neck (Addy wears neither); A mention of ladies in Colombia not wearing bras or tops.

            *Note: one of each “we work our butts off…”, “a pain in the butt” and “I saved your sorry behind.”.

-Addy Davidson, age 17

                                      P.O.V. of Addy
                                                        320 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens- 

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

*happy sigh* I love this author, I really do. Her books always have me hugging it once I’ve read it. Very rarely do I reread a book but this is my third times, I believe, rereading “First Date”. It’s that good! Every time I always love Addy’s faith and this story being based on Esther. With every book I read, whether good or bad, I always have it playing in my mind like a movie, but most I could star in ( ;) ) because of kissing—not with this one! No kissing at all, it’s quite nice, really. :)

  

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.